Thursday, December 1, 2011

Doubt: An Invitation

"Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty" -Father Flynn in the opening scene of the play Doubt.

We often deal with doubt in an unhealthy way... a way that leaves us empty and questioning our faith. But I'm learning that there is a healthy way to face our doubts. I'm learning to deal with my doubt in a way that reveals His character, postures me in His presence, and deepens my faith. I'm learning to see it as an opportunity to bond with God in a powerful and sustaining way.

If you are familiar with Thomas from Scripture at all, you probably know him for his moment of doubt. He is even often known as "Doubting Thomas."

We know Thomas for his doubt. I think Jesus knows Thomas for his faith.

In John 11, when all the other disciples were scared to accompany Jesus back to Judea for fear the Jews would kill them... Thomas spoke up and said "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). Thomas had a desire to be in the presence of Jesus. He was committed.

Then in John 14, Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them. Jesus tells them he will come back and take them with him...that they will know where he is going. Thomas pipes up and says, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5)

Thomas once again longed for Jesus' presence.

Then there is the infamous "Doubting Thomas" moment. Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to most of the disciples, but Thomas missed out on the experience.

"Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:24-25)

So, yeah, Thomas doubted. But as we read in the next few verses that doubt led Him into the presence of Jesus. He put his fingers where the nails were. And he believed. He proclaimed Jesus as Lord. Thomas allowed his doubts to force him into a deeper faith.

What are your doubts right now? Don't let those doubts make you wander away from your faith. See them as an invitation into His presence... an invitation to uncover His character.